Burglar-proof lock device



March 17, 1970 H. o. FISCHER ETAL 3,500,771

BURGLAR-PROOF LOCK DEVICE Filed Jan. 15, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 a 22 1 d I ATTORNEY March 17; 1970 H. D. FISCHER E'II'AL 3,500,771

BURGLAR-PROOF LOCK DEVICE Filed Jan. 15, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J I II t 3o 1 96 s4 3e E l as 3 II;

82 54 26 8Q 62 1 Q 3s I l I 7 34 96 30 k 7e 64 L 94 88 78 92 FIG. 4

INVENTOR HARVEY D. FISCHER NUNZlO J. PALUMBO JACK MACIONE BY M{ 53 4 ATTORNEY March 17, 1970 H. D. FISCHER ETAL 3,500,771

BURGLAR-PROOF LOCK DEVICE Filed Jan. 15, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 no FIG. 5

INVENTOR HARVEY D. FISCHER NUNZIO J. PALUMBO JACK MACIONE wfww ATTORNE March 17, 1970 H. D..FISCHER ETAL 3,500,771

BURGLAR-PROOF LOCK DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 15, 1969 m m CWE BA FPn v R a maoM MN I R NVZK O mm fiw WHNM Y A B United States Patent Ofice 3,500,771 Patented Mar. 17, 1970 3,500,771 BURGLAR-PROOF LOCIK DEVICE Harvey D. Fischer, 508 W. Venango Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19140; Nunzio J. Palumbo, 3515 Post Road, Huntingdon Valley, Pa. 19006; and Jack Macione, 350 N. York Road, Hatboro, Pa. 19040 Filed Jan. 15, 1969, Ser. No. 791,280 Int. Cl. G08b 15/02; Eg 3/00 US. Cl. 109-29 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to the general field of locking devices, and more particularly is directed to a combination lock and tear gas container device which is designed to act as deterrent to forcing open enclosure protected by the said device.

The present invention finds special utility when used in accordance with enclosed cabinets such as vending machines and similar type enclosures and so will be described with particular reference to such cabinets. However, it should be kept in mind that with little or no modifications, the present lock device can be employed with equal efliciency with any type of openable structure, particularly automobile trunk lids, truck doors, the doors and windows of residences and other such enclosures.

Prior workers in the field have developed various types of combination lock and tear gas alarm devices and some have met with considerable success. However, all prior art models have been relatively complicated in construction and therefore expensive in manufacture. In addition, the complicated design usually resulted in unusually difiicult installation procedures.

Further, prior art combination lock and tear gas devices were deficient in that in many instances, the very complicated nature of the construction rendered the devices unreliable and therefore, in many instances, the devices malfunctioned and could not activate the tear gas alarm as designated. The present design seeks to overcome all of the shortcomings of the prior art models.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved burglar-proof lock device of the type set forth.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a burglar proof lock device including means to easily install the device in operative position within the enclosure to be protected.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a burglar-proof lock device featuring compact, easily assembled, streamlined functioning parts to thereby minimize the possibility of misfire.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a burglar-proof lock device incorporating a firing pin and improved firing pin release means for operation upon activation of the triggering mechanism.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a burglar-proof lock device including firing pin guide means to assure proper firing upon each activation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel burglar-proof lock device including means for easy loading without fear of misfiiring.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel burglar-proof lock device that may be readily assembled and disassembled using readily available tools.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel burglar-proof lock device that is capable of remaining locked even after an attempt has been made to enter the enclosure and even after the gas cartridge has been fired.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel burglar-proof lock device that is inexpensive in manufacture, simple in design and trouble free upon use.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partially broken away to show the burglarproof lock device in the operating position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view showing the operating parts.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing the device in loaded position.

FIG. 4 is a top plan device similar to FIG. 3 showing the device in fired position.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a modified burglar-proof alarm device.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the device of FIG. 5, taken along line 8-8 of the FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 10 is a partial, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9, showing the firing pin in fired position.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view through a gas cartridge similar to FIG. 7.

- FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a modified type of gas cartridge, which is partially broken away to disclose the interior construction.

Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of our invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, we show in FIG. 1 a ventional vending machine cabinet 10 having an openable door 12 being protected with a conventional key operated lock 14. The burglar-proof lock device in accordance with the instant invention mounts directly upon the vending machine cabinet construction as by bolts 16, 18 so as to secure thereto in an immovable manner.

The burglar-proof lock device 20 secures to a stationary portion of the cabinet construction in precise location so that the operating tongue 22 of the lock 20 positions behind the latch 24 of the lock 14 for detachable engagement therewith. Thus, any attempt to force the vending machine door 12 will outwardly pull the lock 14 and the attached latch 24, thereby also pulling the engaged operating tongue 22 away from the cabinet secured lock device 20. As will hereinafter be more fully set forth, sufiicient relative motion of the tongue 22 with respect to the body 26 will trigger the firing pin to thereby actuate the tear gas cylinder 84.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the burglar proof alarm device 20 includes an elongated body 26 having a closed base 28 which terminates outwardly in spaced flanges 30,

32. The flanges are drilled therethrough as at 34, 36 for mounting to the vending machine stationary structure 38 by utilizing the mounting bolts 16, 18 in conventional manner. The body sides 40, 42 and ends 44, 46 perpendicularly extend from the base 28 to thereby define a body cavity 48 which receives the operating mechanism, and gas cylinder therewithin in compact, efficient operating relation.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the operating tongue 22 transversely slides relative to the body 26. The sides 40, 42 are slotted as at 50, 52 to slidingly receive the bifurcated ends 54, 56 of the operating tongue 22 respectively therein. The firing hammer 58, which is generally L- shaped engages the tongue 22 and pivots about the pivot pin 62 which is perpendicularly carried between the base 28 and the side supported pivot strut 60.

The operating coil spring 64 biases between the web 66 of the operating tongue 22 and the first leg 68 of the firing hammer 58. The other leg 70 of the hammer 58 extends at right angles to the first leg 68 and is provided with an opening 72 therethrough to receive the firing pin operating guide 74 therein in relatively loose engagement so as to prevent binding between the leg 70 and the guide 74 during all positions of angular displacement as the hammer rotates about its pivot pin 62 during the firing operation. A ring clip 56 prevents the firing pin guide 74 from pulling out the opening 72 during the firing cycle, thereby assuring positive operation at all times.

The firing pin 78 axially aligns within the body cavity 48 and is rapidly axially moved therein under impetus of the firing hammer 58. The firing pin guides 80, 82 are axially drilled at 172, 174 to a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the firing pin 78 to thereby positively and precisely guide the firing pin 78 toward one end of the tear gas cylinder 84 during periods of operation. The flanged cylinder guide 86 seats within the cavity 48 and secures to the sides 40, 42 in axially juxtaposed relation to the firing pin guide 82. The web 88 of the guide 86 is drilled as required to furnish a circular opening 90 for securely receiving one end of the gascylinder 84 therein in relatively tight engagement. In this manner, the cylinder guide 86 secures the cylinder 84 in position so that it may be punctured without misfire under all conditions of operation when the firing pin 78 is released by the operating mechanism as hereinafter more fully set forth.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the bifurcated end 56 of the operating tongue 22 is machined at the end thereof to provide a recessed sear 92 to receive the end 94 of the firing hammer leg 70 in operating engagement. It is thus seen that the device may conveniently be armed by pulling the operating tongue 22 transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body 26 against the bias of the spring 64 until the end 94 of the firing hammer leg 70 engages the sear 92. In this position, it should be noted that the coil spring 64 is fully extended so that all of the stored energy of the spring is available for firing when the sear 92 disengages from the end 94 of the firing hammer 58. The ledge 96 of the bifurcated end 54 engages the body side 40 at the end of the slot 50 to compensate for the action of the spring 64 and to thereby balance the operating tongue 22 in the body 26.

As seen in FIG. 1, the cabinet lock latch 24 turns upon operation of the key (not shown) and engages within the slot 98 of the operating tongue 22. It is thus seen that any applied force which tends to pry the door 12 away from the vending machine stationary portion 38 without first unlocking the latch 24 to disengage the tongue 22 would thereby cause an outward pull on the operating tongue 22. Even a small transverse movement of the operating tongue 22 caused by such force would cause the sear 92 to pull free from the end 94 of the. hammer 58. Under such conditions, the bias of the spring 64 thereby pulls the leg 68 about the pivot pin 62 thus urges the firin pin 78 forwardly through the guides 80, 82. The firing pin 78 thereby punctures the tear gas cylinder 84. See- FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, we show a modified 4 type of burglar proof lock device which includes arelatively flat, elongated L-shaped body 100. The flat web portion 102 of the body includes means for mounting purposes and terminates at either end thereof in upturned flanges 104, 106 to accommodate the firing mechanism as hereinafter more fully set forth. The web 102 includes a plurality of mounting openings 108 which may be elongated in configuration both to facilitate mounting and to save installation time. It should be noted that the web 102 mounts tight against the stationary portion 38 of the device being protected by utilizing bolts 16, 18, rivets or other suitable Well-known fastening devices. The operating tongue 110 transversely slides with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body 100 and is formed with an upturned forward flange 112 which positions intermediate the flanges and an upturned end flange 114 which is positioned at right angles thereto. As can best be seen in FIG. 5, the body 100 is formed to a generally L-shaped configuration wherein the base leg 116 terminates outwardly in an upturned end flange 118 which lies in a plane parallel to the end flange 114 of the operating tongue 110.

A spring clip 120 attaches to the end flange 118 by means of the rivets 122, 124 and is a detachable, spring engagement with the ball stud 126 which is aflixed to the operating tongue end flange 114 by means of a conventional nut and lock washer assembly 128. The operating tongue 110 is milled at the end opposite the end flange 114, to provide an open slot 130 for detachable engagement upon and cooperation with the cabinet latch 24, which is key operated as hereinbefore described.

A cylindrical tube 132 axially extends between the body flange 104 and the tongue forward flange 112 and is retained in position by means of the threaded end cap 134 and the jam nut 136. As best seen in FIG. 7, the tube 132 is threaded at both ends thereof and the forwardly threaded end extends through the forward flange 104 to receive the threaded coupling thereon. It will be observed that the combination of the threaded coupling 140 and the jam nut 136 serve to securely fasten the tube 132 to the body 100 by threadedly tightening against each other at the flange 104. The coupling 140 threadedly receives the firing pin guide 142 therein to thereby accurately direct the point 144 of the firing pin 146 against the end of the gas cylinder 148. The firing pin guide 142 is concentrically drilled to provide a piercing opening 150 and a frusto-conical guide 152 is communicated therewith to thereby assure accuracy in firing under all operating conditions.

It should be noted that the gas cartridge 148 may be armed with tear gas 184, a liquid identification, indelible dye 190, an explosive type noise maker 192 or any combination thereof.

As best observed in FIGS. 5 and 7, the firing pin 146 comprises an elongated rod portion 154 which terminates at one end thereof in a knurled knob 156 for loading purposes and in a firing point 144 at the other end thereof for gas cylinder piercing purposes. The rod portion 154 includes a forward shoulder 158 which rides upon the operating tongue forward flange 112. As may best be observed in FIG. 9, the forward flange 112 is provided with an elongated slot 160 and a communicating enlarged circular opening 162 for interaction with the shoulder 158. It should be observed that the slot 160 is sized to permit ready movement of the decreased diameter section 164 of the firing pin therein and is too small to permit passage of the rod portion 154, the shoulder 158 thereby overlying the slotted opening 160. Should the operating tongue 110 be pulled transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body 100, such as would occur should the cabinet door 12 be pried open, the circular opening 162 would thereby be pulled into alignment with the rod portion 154, thereby permitting the firing pin 146 to move forwardly through the opening 162. See FIG. 10.

A coil spring 166 biases between the widened shoulder 168 of the firing point 144 and the interior end 170 of the end cap 134 to thereby continually urge the firing pin 146 forwardly in the direction of the tear gas cylinder 148. The spring 166 further serves to load the tongue 110 so that easy manipulation of the tongue is impossible. Preferably, the combination force of the spring bias load and the necessary force required to separate the spring clip 120 and the ball stud 126 require a calculated and predetermined separation load for movement of the tongue 110. The firing pin shoulder 158 rides against the tongue forward flange 112 thereby preventing forward motion of the firing pin 146. When the operating tongue 110 is transversely pulled with relation to the body 100, such as might occur when an attempt is made to jimmy the cabinet door 112, the circular opening 162 thereby pulls into alignment with the firing pin 146, thus permitting the spring 166 to propel the firing pin 146 forwardly within the tube 132 and into piercing engagement with the tear gas cylinder 148.

In order to arm the device, the operating tongue is first pulled transversely with respect to the body 100 until the circular opening 162 axially aligns with the firing pin 146. It should be noted that in this position, the ball stud 126 is disengaged from the spring clip 120. With the opening 162 axially aligned, the knob 156 can then be grasped and pulled rearwardly, against the bias of the coil spring 166 until the shoulder 158 clears the rear of the flange 112. The operating tongue is then pushed transversely until the ball stud 126 engages the spring clip 120. It should be noted that the decreased diameter section 164 of the firing pin 146 rides within the slot 160 during the tongue movement until the fully loaded position (see FIG. 9) is reached. In this position, the shoulder 158 overlies the edges of the slot 160 and the apparatus is fully armed.

It should be noted that once the required predetermined load at the spring clip 120 has been overcome, only slight transverse movement of the operating tongue 110 or 22 is required in order to initiate the firing mechanism. Thus, a protective cloud of tear gas will be generated before a would-be intruder has the opportunity to fully release the cabinet locking mechanism. It is therefore observed that the burglar proof lock device serves to ward off wrong-doers while the cabinet door remains locked.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, we show a gas cartridge 148 including a hollow casing 186 which terminates forwardly in a threaded connection 180 and a piercible plugged end 182. The interior of the casing 186 may be filled with deterrent means such as tear gas 184 which is maintained under pressure in well-known manner. When desired, the cartridge may be filled with other deterrent materials such as an indelible dye 190 or an explosive type noise making device 192. It is also possible to provide combinations of the deterrents by utilizing an interior, medially positioned, divider plug 188 between the two deterrents, for example dye 190 and a noise maker 192.

Although we have described our invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a burglar-proof lock device for installation upon an enclosure having a stationary portion and a movable door, the combination of:

(A) a body,

(1) said body extending generally along a longitudinal axis,

(2) said body including a relatively fiat base portion for mounting upon the said enclosure stationary portion,

(3) said body including flange portions extending perpendicularly away from the said base portion;

(B) tongue means interacting with the said body,

(1) said tongue means extending along an axis perpendicular to the said longitudinal axis of the body,

(2) said tongue means having transverse motion relative to the said body,

(a) said motion being initiated unauthorized movement of the said enclosure door;

(C) firing pin means associated with the said body,

(1) said firing pin means having motion along the said longitudinal axis of the said body,

(2) said firing pin means being urged toward one end of said body by spring means,

(a) the said spring means also serving to impose an initial movement retarding load upon the said tongue means;

(D) deterrent means aflixed to the said body,

(1) the said deterrent means being axially aligned along the said body longitudinal axis; and

(E) firing pin guide means aflixed to the said body along the said longitudinal axis thereof,

(1) the said firing pin guide means directing the said firing pin means into the said deterrent means in piercing relationship.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein an L-shaped hammer including a first leg and a second leg pivots about the said body, the said hammer serving to propel the said deterrent means.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein an L-shaped hammer including a first leg and a second leg pivots about the said body, the said hammer serving to propel the said deterrent means, and wherein the one leg of the said hammer connects to the said spring means.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein an L-shaped hammer including a first leg and a second leg pivots about the said body, the said hammer serving to propel the said deterrent means, and wherein one leg of the said hammer connects to the said spring means, and wherein the other leg of the said hammer is provided with firing pin guide means.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein an L-shaped hammer including a first leg and a second leg pivots about the said body, the said hammer serving to propel the said deterrent means, and wherein the said tongue means include a notched sear, and the end of the first leg of the said hammer interfits with the said sear to load the device.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the L-shaped hammer including a first leg and a second leg pivots about the said body, the said hammer serving to propel the said deterrent means, and wherein the said tongue means include a notched sear, and the end of the first leg of the said hammer interfits with the said sear to load the device, and wherein the said spring means bias between a portioin of the said tongue means and the said second leg of the said hammer.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein an L-shaped hammer including a first leg and a second leg pivots about the said body, the said hammer serving to propel the said deterent means and wherein the said firing pin means include an affixed axial cylindrical guide and wherein the said first leg of the hammer is provided with a guide receiving opening, the said opening being of suflicient size to loosely retain the said guide in all positions of angular displacement during pivotal movement of the said hammer.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said body is constructed to a generally L-shaped configuration including an axial leg and a transverse leg the said axial leg terminating at the ends thereof in a pair of spaced, perpendicular flanges, and the said transverse leg terminating outwardly in a perpendicular flange, the said transverse 7 flange lying in a plane at right angles to the said axial leg flanges.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said tongue means terminate forwardly in a perpendicular flange and laterally in a perpendicular flange, the said lateral flange being removably spring connected to a part of the said body flange portions.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said tongue means terminate forwardly in a perpendicular flange and laterally in a perpendicular flange, the said lateral flange being removably spring connected to a part of the said body flange, portions, and wherein the said forward flange is provided with slotted firing pin locking means.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said tongue means terminate forwardly in a perpendicular flange and laterally in a perpendicular flange, the said lateral flange being removably spring connected to a part of the said body flange portions, and wherein the said forward flange is provided with slotted firing pin locking means, said means including widened areas to permit movement of the said firing pin.

12. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said tongue means terminates forwardly in a perpendicular flange and laterally in a perpendicular flange, the said lateral flange being removably spring connected to a part of the said body flange portions, and wherein the said forward flange is provided with slotted firing pin locking means, said means including widened areas to permit movement of the said firing pin, the said widened areas being pulled into axial alignment by the said unauthorized movement of the enclosure door.

13. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said firing pin means include an elongated rod, the said rod extending through parts of the said body flange portions, the said rod being restricted at one section thereof to a smaller diameter.

14. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said firing pin means include an elongated rod, the said rod extending through parts of the said body flange portions, the said rod being restricted at one section thereof to a smaller diameter, thereby defining a shoulder, the said shoulder being in sliding contact with part of the said tongue means.

15. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said firing pin means include an elongated rod, the said rod extending through parts of the said body flange portions, the said rod being restricted at one section thereof to a smaller diameter, thereby defining a shoulder, the said shoulder being in sliding contact with part of the said tongue means, and wherein the said tongue means are provided with an elongated opening of two communicating sizes at the area of contact with the said shoulder.

16. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said firing pin means include an elongated rod, the said rod extending through parts of the said body flange portions, the said rod being restricted at one section thereof to a smaller diameter, thereby defining a shoulder, the said shoulder being in sliding contact with part of the said tongue means, and wherein the said tongue means are provided with an elongated opening of two communicating sizes at the area of contact with the said shoulder, the smaller size of the said opening being of dimensions to prevent passage of the said shoulder and the larger size of the said opening being of dimensions to permit passage of the said shoulder.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,758,096 5/1930 Walsh 109-32 1,847,247 12/1931 Wolters et al. 109-33 2,541,563 2/1951 Walsh 109--32 3,060,633 10/1962 Glass et al 109-36 X J. KARL BELL, Primary Examiner 

